THE trial of business partners Mike Chimombe and Moses Mpofu, accused of defrauding the state of more than US$7 million through the Presidential Goats Pass-On Scheme, saw the cross-examination of key State witness, Dr John Basera, yesterday.
Dr Basera was the Permanent Secretary for Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development at the time of the goat deal with Blackdeck Pvt Ltd, the company awarded the tender to supply goats.
Chimombe is denying he was involved in the deal and the two accused have separate defences. Under cross-examination by Chimombe’s lawyer, Professor Lovemore Madhuku, Dr Basera said he had no prior interaction with Chimombe during the bidding process or the signing of the contract between Blackdeck and the Ministry in November 2023.
Dr Basera did cite the presence of Chimombe during negotiations, meetings, and launches of the scheme, as well as the surname “Chimombe” on the contract, but that was signed by Tinashe Chimombe as a witness.
When pressed further, he said: “I did not sign the document. I doubt if the second accused (Mike Chimombe) signed. Of course, the surname was a witness, but the second accused did not sign.”
Asked to confirm whether Chimombe had any involvement in the tender process, Dr Basera said: “Certainly, there was no other connection, but he would accompany the Blackdeck representatives in the negotiations, and even at the launch of the programme in Chipinge, he was also present.”
He said he could not recall seeing Chimombe at the award of the tender. “As far as I still recall, he was not involved.”
When Prof Madhuku pressed for specifics on Chimombe’s role, Dr Basera reiterated that Chimombe was often seen in the company of Blackdeck representatives, including attending meetings with the ministry’s technical teams and the Chipinge launch.
“It was more spiritual and physical indeed and no signature at all,” he said.
Via: Herald
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